Lord Mohammed of Tinsley
Main Page: Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (LD)
My Lords, I also thank the noble Baroness, Lady Alexander, for securing this really important debate on the rights and welfare of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. I am grateful to the House of Lords Library for its recent briefing and to Mr Nasir Mir, a senior member of Imran Khan’s PTI party, for his briefing note; I see that he is here with some of his colleagues. Both these publications have helped inform my deliberations over the growing international concerns.
Mr Khan’s detention, following his arrest in 2023 on charges that he denies, has become more than a domestic legal matter. It raises fundamental questions around due process, the rule of law and the treatment of political figures in a democratic system. The United Kingdom has long stood for the principles of fair trial, judicial independence and the humane treatment of detainees. These are universal values, not contingent ones.
Although Pakistan’s legal proceedings are rightly a matter for its own courts, there remains a clear expectation that international human rights standards will be upheld in all circumstances. It is concerning, therefore, that emerging reports suggest restrictions on Mr Khan’s access to legal counsel, family contact and adequate medical care. These allegations of prolonged isolation and deteriorating health would, if accurate, fall short of the standards set out in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners—or the Mandela rules, as they are often called—which guarantee access to healthcare, legal representation and regular contact with family.
In that context, I wish to raise a specific humanitarian issue that other noble Lords have raised: family access. The ability of Mr Khan’s two sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, to visit their father is not simply a personal matter but an important element of humane treatment. I therefore express my support for the granting of visas by the Government of Pakistan to enable these two young men to go and visit their father; that is what we would all want. I lost my father 30 years ago. Being able to go and visit your father, particularly when they are ill, is a basic human right that should not be denied to anyone. I support this Government impressing that upon the Government of Pakistan, because allowing this would demonstrate compassion and commitment to the basic international norms governing the treatment of prisoners.
This case does not stand alone. I express my concern regarding the continued detention of the former Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is a senior political figure. His imprisonment, similar to that of Imran Khan, raises questions around transparency, due process and the consistent application of justice.
Beyond these high-profile cases, there are also troubling reports about what has been described as transnational repression. This includes allegations that relatives of overseas critics of the Government of Pakistan have been subject to detention, harassment or intimidation by the security forces of Pakistan. If substantiated, these practices would represent a deeply concerning extension of pressure beyond borders that undermines fundamental freedoms. These issues speak to not only individual cases but wider confidence in democratic institutions.
This debate is not about interference in the sovereign affairs of another state. Rather, it is about ensuring that our foreign policy reflects our enduring commitment to human rights and the rule of law. The United Kingdom has engaged with the Government of Pakistan on these matters, but it is right that we continue to do so clearly and consistently. The imprisonment of prominent political figures carries broader implications. Where there is a perception, rightly or wrongly, of political motivation or selective justice, public trust in democratic processes can be eroded. This makes it more important that legal proceedings are transparent and fair, and are seen to be so.
I suggest that His Majesty’s Government continue to pursue three key priorities: first, sustained diplomatic engagement with Pakistan on due process and detainee welfare; secondly, support for credible monitoring to ensure accurate information about conditions of detention; and, thirdly, the clear implementation of the United Kingdom’s commitment to democratic principles and human rights. I align myself with the remarks made by the noble Baroness, Lady Alexander, and support her call for further engagement at ministerial level, or Secretary of State level as the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad, suggested. In particular, I support the proposal for a small cross-party delegation of Peers to meet the relevant Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister.
This House has a long tradition of upholding fundamental standards, not by dictating outcomes but by advocating principles. The treatment of any detainee must meet these standards, regardless of status or circumstances. Let us therefore send a clear message that the United Kingdom will continue to support the protection of fundamental rights, the integrity of the legal process and the dignity of all individuals.